BEU PPS 2024 | Programming for Problem Solving PYQ with Solutions (1st Sem)

Preparing for the BEU PPS 2024 Special Exam?
This post includes the complete Programming for Problem Solving (PPS) question paper from the BEU Special Exam 2024 with clear, unit-wise solutions. Ideal for 1st Semester CSE, ECE, and related branch students to revise core C programming concepts effectively.

Q.1 Choose the correct answer of the following :

(a) What would be the output of the following program?

int main()
{
    float a = 3.15529;
    printf("\n%6.2f", a);
}

(i) 3.16
(ii) 3.15
(iii) Compilation error
(iv) 3.15529

(b) Which of the following is true about argv?

(i) It is an array of character pointers
(ii) It is a pointer to an array of character pointers
(iii) It is an array of strings
(iv) None of the above

(c) What would be the output of the following program?

int main()
{
    char *p = "Sanjay C-Test";
    p[0] = 'a';
    p[1] = 'b';
    printf("%s", p);
}

(i) abnjay C-Test
(ii) Sanjay C-Test
(iii) Compile-time error
(iv) Run-time error

(d) Determine the output for the given program:

#include <stdio.h>
#define mul(x) x * 8

int main()
{
    int y = mul(10 / 3);
    printf("%d", y);
}

(i) 0
(ii) 24
(iii) 24.33
(iv) 26.64

(e) What would happen if you assign a value to an element of an array whose subscript exceeds the size of the array?

(i) The element will be set to 0
(ii) Nothing, it’s done all the time
(iii) Other data may be overwritten
(iv) Error message from the compiler

(f) What will be the output of the following C code?

int main()
{
    signed char ch;
    ch = 128;
    printf("%d\n", ch);
    return 0;
}

(i) 128
(ii) -128
(iii) Depends on the compiler
(iv) None of the above

(g) The hexadecimal equivalent to the number (101101010010)₂ is:

(i) A53
(ii) A52
(iii) B52
(iv) C62

(h) The correct syntax to send an array arr as a parameter to a function func is:

(i) func(arr)
(ii) func(&arr)
(iii) func(*arr)
(iv) func(arr[size])

(i) A header file is:

(i) A file that contains standard library functions
(ii) A file that contains definitions and macros
(iii) A file that contains user-defined functions
(iv) A file that is present in current working directory

(j) The expression = 7 / 22 * (3.14 + 2) * 3 / 5 evaluates to:

(i) 8.28
(ii) 6.28
(iii) 3.14
(iv) 0

Q.2

(a) A 5-digit positive integer is entered through the keyboard. Write a recursive function to calculate the sum of digits of the given number.

Answer: Concept:
We will use recursion to break the number into digits and add them.

• Suppose the number is 12345
• We can split it like:
  5 + sum of (1234)
  Then again: 4 + sum of (123)
  And so on…

Base case:
If the number is 0, return 0.

Recursive case:
Return last digit + sum of remaining number
i.e., n % 10 + sum(n / 10)

C Code:

#include <stdio.h>

// Recursive function to calculate sum of digits
int sumOfDigits(int n) {
    if (n == 0)
        return 0;
    else
        return (n % 10) + sumOfDigits(n / 10);
}

int main() {
    int num;
    printf("Enter a 5-digit number: ");
    scanf("%d", &num);

    int result = sumOfDigits(num);
    printf("Sum of digits = %d", result);

    return 0;
}

Example Execution:

If input is: 12345
Then the function works like this:
→ 5 + sum(1234)
→ 5 + 4 + sum(123)
→ 5 + 4 + 3 + sum(12)
→ 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + sum(1)
→ 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15

(b) Explain compile-time and run-time initialization of arrays with suitable examples.

Answer:

Example of Run-time Initialization:

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    int a[5], i;

    printf("Enter 5 elements:\n");
    for(i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
        scanf("%d", &a[i]);  // Run-time input
    }

    printf("Array elements are:\n");
    for(i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
        printf("%d ", a[i]);
    }

    return 0;
}

Q.3

(a) Differentiate between entry and exit controlled loops with suitable examples (flowcharts).

Answer:

Example of Entry Controlled Loop (while loop):

int i = 1;
while (i <= 5) {
    printf("%d ", i);
    i++;
}

Output: 1 2 3 4 5

Example of Exit Controlled Loop (do-while loop):

int i = 1;
do {
    printf("%d ", i);
    i++;
} while (i <= 5);

Output: 1 2 3 4 5

(b) Write a program in C to print the following pattern:

1
2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10…

Answer: Logic:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int i, j, num = 1;
    int rows;

    printf("Enter number of rows: ");
    scanf("%d", &rows);

    for(i = 1; i <= rows; i++) {
        for(j = 1; j <= i; j++) {
            printf("%d ", num);
            num++;
        }
        printf("\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output (for rows = 4):

1  
2 3  
4 5 6  
7 8 9 10  

Q.4

(a) Sort the following numbers in ascending order 12, 6, 17, 4, 2, 9, 5 using insertion sort technique:.Give clear explanation for every pass.

Answer:

Initial Array:

12, 6, 17, 4, 2, 9, 5

Pass-wise Explanation:

• Pass 1: Insert 6
  → 6 < 12 → shift 12 → place 6
  → Result: 6, 12, 17, 4, 2, 9, 5
• Pass 2: Insert 17
  → Already in correct position
  → Result: 6, 12, 17, 4, 2, 9, 5
• Pass 3: Insert 4
  → Shift 17, 12, 6 → place 4
  → Result: 4, 6, 12, 17, 2, 9, 5
• Pass 4: Insert 2
  → Shift 17, 12, 6, 4 → place 2
  → Result: 2, 4, 6, 12, 17, 9, 5
• Pass 5: Insert 9
  → Shift 17, 12 → place 9
  → Result: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 17, 5
• Pass 6: Insert 5
  → Shift 17, 12, 9, 6 → place 5
  → Result: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 17

Final Sorted Array:

2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 17

(b) Write your own version of string manipulation functions xstrlen() and xstrcpy() to mimic standard library functions strlen() and strcpy().

Answer:

1. xstrlen()

This function counts the number of characters in a string (excluding the null character \0).

Code:

int xstrlen(char *str) {
    int length = 0;
    while (str[length] != '\0') {
        length++;
    }
    return length;
}

2. xstrcpy()

This function copies the content of one string (source) into another string (destination).

Code:

void xstrcpy(char *dest, char *src) {
    int i = 0;
    while (src[i] != '\0') {
        dest[i] = src[i];
        i++;
    }
    dest[i] = '\0'; // Null terminator at the end
}

Example Usage:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    char source[] = "Hello";
    char target[20];

    printf("Length = %d\n", xstrlen(source));
    xstrcpy(target, source);
    printf("Copied String = %s\n", target);

    return 0;
}

Q.5

(a) Write a program in C that converts a string like "124" to an integer 124.

Answer: Concept:

We need to convert a string of digits (e.g., "124") into an integer 124.
This can be done by:

• Traversing the string from left to right
• For each character, subtract '0' to get its numeric value
• Multiply the result by 10 and add the digit

C Program to Convert String to Integer

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    char str[] = "124";    // String to convert
    int i = 0;
    int num = 0;

    while (str[i] != '\0') {
        num = num * 10 + (str[i] - '0');  // Convert char to int and add
        i++;
    }

    printf("Converted number = %d", num);
    return 0;
}

Output:

Converted number = 124

(b) Differentiate between structure and union. Write an example situation where union is more suitable than structure.

Answer:

Example Where Union is More Suitable:

Suppose we are designing a system to store sensor data where only one type of data is used at a time (temperature, pressure, or humidity):

union SensorData {
    int temperature;
    float pressure;
    char humidity;
};

In this case, union saves memory because we don’t need to store all values at once.

Q.6

(a) Write a program in C to copy one file to another. While doing so, replace all lowercase characters with their equivalent uppercase characters.

Answer: Program in C to copy File with Lowercase to Uppercase

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    FILE *f1, *f2;
    char ch;

    f1 = fopen("input.txt", "r");
    f2 = fopen("output.txt", "w");

    while ((ch = fgetc(f1)) != EOF) {
        if (ch >= 'a' && ch <= 'z') {
            ch = ch - 32;  // Convert to uppercase
        }
        fputc(ch, f2);
    }

    fclose(f1);
    fclose(f2);

    return 0;
}

Explanation (In One Line Each):

• Open input.txt for reading.
• Open output.txt for writing.
• Read each character.
• If it’s lowercase (a–z), convert to uppercase.
• Write to new file.
• Close both files.

(b) What is the relation between array and pointer? What is an array of pointers? Explain with examples.

Answer: Relation Between Array and Pointer:

• In C, the name of an array acts like a pointer to its first element.
• That means, if you write arr[0], it’s same as *(arr + 0)
• So, arr is similar to a constant pointer: it points to the first element of the array.

Example:

int arr[3] = {10, 20, 30};

printf("%d\n", arr[0]);     // prints 10
printf("%d\n", *arr);       // also prints 10
printf("%d\n", *(arr + 1)); // prints 20

What is an Array of Pointers?

• An array of pointers is a collection where each element is a pointer.
• Useful when each pointer points to different memory locations like strings or arrays.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    char *names[3] = {"Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"};

    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
        printf("%s\n", names[i]);  // prints each name
    }

    return 0;
}

Here:

• names[0] points to "Alice"
• names[1] points to "Bob"
• names[2] points to "Charlie"

So names is an array of 3 character pointers.

Q.7

(a) Multiple return statements are allowed within a function, but a function cannot return more than one value.Explain this concept with an example.

Answer: In C language:

• A function can have multiple return statements, based on conditions or logic.
• But it can return only one value at a time when it is called.
• If you need to return multiple values, you have to use pointers or structures.

Example: Function with multiple return statements

int checkNumber(int n) {
    if (n > 0)
        return 1;   // Positive
    else if (n < 0)
        return -1;  // Negative
    else
        return 0;   // Zero
}

Explanation:

• This function returns:
  • 1 if number is positive
  • -1 if number is negative
  • 0 if number is zero
• But in one function call, only one return value is passed back.

Why it can’t return more than one value?

Because in C, function return type allows returning only:

• A single int, float, char, etc.
• Or a pointer, or a structure (as a whole)
  Not multiple individual values.

(b) Differentiate between break and continue statements with examples.How does break differ from exit()?

Answer:

Example of break:

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
    if (i == 3)
        break;
    printf("%d ", i);
}

Output: 1 2
Explanation: Loop stops when i == 3

Example of continue:

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
    if (i == 3)
        continue;
    printf("%d ", i);
}

Output: 1 2 4 5
Explanation: i == 3 is skipped, rest executes

Difference between break and exit():

Example of exit():

#include <stdlib.h>

int main() {
    printf("Hello\n");
    exit(0);   // Terminates program here
    printf("World\n");  // This won't run
}

Output: Hello
Explanation: Program exits after exit(0) and doesn’t print “World”

Q.8

(a) Explain call-by-value and call-by-reference with examples. Differentiate between null pointer and void pointer.

Answer:

1. Call-by-Value

• A copy of the variable’s value is passed to the function.
• Changes made inside the function do not affect the original variable.

Example:

void change(int x) {
    x = x + 10;
}

int main() {
    int a = 5;
    change(a);
    printf("%d", a);  // Output: 5
}

2. Call-by-Reference

• The address of the variable is passed to the function.
• Changes made inside the function affect the original variable.

Example:

void change(int *x) {
    *x = *x + 10;
}

int main() {
    int a = 5;
    change(&a);
    printf("%d", a);  // Output: 15
}

Difference between Null Pointer and Void Pointer

Example (Null):

int *ptr = NULL;

Example (Void):

void *ptr;
int a = 10;
ptr = &a;
printf("%d", *(int*)ptr);

(b) Write a program to find the greatest of three numbers entered through the keyboard:First using nested if-else construct and Then using conditional operator.

Answer:

1. Using Nested if-else:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int a, b, c;
    printf("Enter three numbers: ");
    scanf("%d %d %d", &a, &b, &c);

    if (a > b) {
        if (a > c)
            printf("Greatest = %d", a);
        else
            printf("Greatest = %d", c);
    } else {
        if (b > c)
            printf("Greatest = %d", b);
        else
            printf("Greatest = %d", c);
    }
    return 0;
}

2. Using Ternary Operator:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int a, b, c, max;
    printf("Enter three numbers: ");
    scanf("%d %d %d", &a, &b, &c);

    max = (a > b) ? ((a > c) ? a : c) : ((b > c) ? b : c);
    printf("Greatest = %d", max);

    return 0;
}

Q.9

Write short notes on any two of the following:

(a) Pointer to an array
(b) Bitwise shift operators
(c) Linked list
(d) Dynamic allocation of memory

Answer:

(a) Pointer to an Array

• A pointer to an array points to the entire array, not just its first element.
• It is declared as: int (*ptr)[5]; → pointer to an array of 5 integers.
• Useful when passing multi-dimensional arrays to functions.

Example:

int arr[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
int (*ptr)[5] = &arr;

(b) Bitwise Shift Operators

• Used to shift bits of a number to the left (<<) or right (>>).
• x << n: Multiplies x by 2ⁿ
• x >> n: Divides x by 2ⁿ (ignoring remainder)

Example:

int x = 4;         // Binary: 0100
printf("%d", x << 1);  // Output: 8 (1000)

(c) Linked List

• A dynamic data structure where each node contains data and a pointer to next node.
• Unlike arrays, linked lists do not require contiguous memory.
• Types: Singly, Doubly, Circular.

Example Node:

struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node *next;
};

(d) Dynamic Allocation of Memory

• Memory is allocated at runtime using functions like malloc(), calloc(), realloc(), and freed using free().
• Helps in creating flexible programs that use memory as needed.

Example:

int *p = (int*) malloc(5 * sizeof(int));

Conclusion

This guide covers unit-wise long answer solutions for the BEU PPS 2024 Special Exam, based on repeated PYQs and syllabus analysis. It’s designed to help 1st semester students revise effectively and score better in exams.

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Disclaimer

The questions and answers provided here are based on previous year trends and syllabus analysis. While we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the same questions will appear in the actual BEU exams.

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